In the dark of the night

Twilight awoke to a room just starting to gain some light in it. Glancing out her window, she noted that Celestia's sun was starting to warm the skyline, turning the azure blue into a warm, fiery yellow. Reluctantly stirring to leave the comfort of her sheets, she rolled out of bed. Careful to be quiet as Spike was still asleep in his basket at the foot of her bed. Making her way down the stairs and out of her room, she picked up her to-do list for the day right where it always was. On the kitchen counter.

Looking over the days to-do's, Twilight read the list off quietly to herself.

-Leave list of things for Spike to do on counter *list is in your saddlebags, center pocket
-Pick up food from market *see attached list
-Stop by Sugarcube Corner for snack *spend no more than 8 bits
-Go to Rarity's boutique to be fitted for outfit for meeting with the Princesses
-Check with Rainbow Dash for this weeks weather schedule
-Stop by Fluttershy's to pick up the Amethyst she found for Spike
-Stop by Applejack's for two bottles of Cider.
-Come back to Library
-Put food up in appropriate places *consult list of appropriate places on cupboard
-Re-organize books.

*move fiction to shelf B

*Magical References to be moved to shelf E

*Catalog changes and make notes on how Ponies take changes.

*move cookbooks to shelf C.

Satisfied with her list of necessary things to do, Twilight grabbed her saddlebags and quietly slipped out the door.

***About five minutes later

The alarm clock on Twilight's nightstand jolted Spike from his sleep. He remembered that Twilight had said they had to get an early start that morning, but didn't imagine that she meant getting up the same time the sun did! Drowsily walking over to the offending clock, Spike shut it off and let out a large yawn as he stretched. Today was going to be a long one, he could tell. He has half tempted to-

Turning around, he caught sight of a small note on his basket.

Dear Spike, Don't get back in bed after you shut off the alarm clock. I've left you a list of things to do while I'm out on the counter. If you get them all done by the time I get back, I'll have a special treat for you!

-Twilight Sparkle

P.S. I know you can do it my Number-One-Assistant!

Rolling his eyes and muttering to himself, Spike set about doing today's "chores." He was hoping today would be an "easy" day.

Just as he was about to head down the stairs, he belched, and in a fiery flash a letter appeared for Twilight. He didn't think about it much until he saw the seal on it. This was from... Princess Luna?

Twilight was making her trip fairly quickly. She'd even mapped out a route of how to get everything done in one big "round" pass. Already her saddlebags were full of groceries. She'd actually been able to make it out of the market for fewer bits than she had figured. The noon-day sun was starting to get a bit warm though even though it was early spring. Stopping by Rarity's boutique, Twilight prepared herself for what she was about to do.

Pushing the door open gently, the small bell rang to make her presence known.

"Welcome to the Carousel Boutique, where everything is chic, unique and magnifique! Oh, Hello Twilight!" The white unicorn greeted Twilight with a beaming smile.

"Shall we get to work then?"

That was a biiiit too enthusiastic... Twilight thought to herself.

"Yes, lets get started."

***Two hours later

Twilight looked good, the outfit matched her and the occasion at which it would be worn to a tee. No doubt when she actually got to her audience with the Princesses, she would at least be comfortable. But not presently. Presently, she was doing her level best to keep from flinching. There were so many pins holding up just the slightest fold of fabric so it fit Twilight perfectly.

It was a simple affair, Twilight had requested something a tad spartan for the fashionista's liking but it didn't stop her from making her friend look glamorous. A lovely evening gown of a shade of purple that matched Twilight's mane and tail. The whole design flowing and lightly adorned with a small cluster of diamonds at the neck. Stepping back, Rarity pondered as she paced around Twilight, her discerning eye looking for the slightest detail gone awry. Having circled twice, she was thoroughly satisfied.

"Perfect! Now to make the necessary adjustments."

Helping Twilight out of her dress, making sure not to accidentally stick her friend with any of the pins and putting the dress on a Ponyquin, Rarity then glanced up at the clock.

"Oh good heavens! I believe I took a bit longer than I thought I would. I have to go pick up some more material from the market."

Twilight had been ready for that, she knew fully well how carried away Rarity could get when she was designing something. She looked up at the clock on the wall then levitated her schedule over to her. She was actually ahead of schedule.

"Well, I'll let you get to that. I'm starting to get a bit hungry... skipped breakfast this morning." Twilight said as she realized why she was able to get out so early. She mentally face-hoofed for her missing that.

"Darling, you must take better care of yourself! Your figure won't stay like it is if you don't stay healthy." Rarity said nonchalantly.

Twilight blushed slightly at the statement as she mumbled her thanks.

Giving Twilight a slightly devious grin, Rarity noted and played off of her embarrassment.

"First time being complimented by another mare like that?"

"Uh... I... Um... yea." Twilight scuffed at the floor lightly. "Anyways, I'll get out of your mane. See ya later Rarity." And was darting out of the boutique as fast as she could.

Her friend couldn't help but chuckle at Twilight's reaction. "She is just too easy sometimes." She said quietly to herself as she closed the door behind herself to go get her material.

Twilight stopped by one of the stalls in the market and got a fresh-made dandelion sandwich and a glass of water.

I'm going to have to remember that stall, the food is nice. She thought to herself as she ate contentedly. Glancing up from her table, she noticed Applejack walking through the market.

"Hey, Applejack!" Twilight said, waving a hoof to flag her down.

"Howdy Twi, how are ya?" Applejack said as she sauntered up and took a seat across from Twilight.

"Good, I was going to drop by the acres to see if i could pick up a few things from you."

"Way ahead of ya Sugarcube." She said as she plopped her own saddlebags up onto the table.

"Two bottles of Sweet Apple Acres finest cider!" She said, pulling the bottles from the bags. "Ah was headin' this way anyways so Ah figured Ah'd save ya a trip if'n I caught ya."

Twilight smiled across at her friend. This would likely cut her time out of the library in half.

"Thanks, I really appreciate it."

"Think nothin' of it sugarcube."

"So what are you up to today?" Twilight inquired.

"Well, Ah got to pay mah fees for using a certain stall in the market. They're not due for another week but Ah tend to try and make sure we're not rushed about it so Ah been payin' a week or so early to make it easier. Aside from that, got a pretty good bit of stuff t'get today. Mostly supplies for Granny Smith, she woke us all up last night cuz the Timberwolves was a-howlin'. Zap-Apple season's a-comin'!" Applejack said with a bit of excitement coloring her features at the mention of the Zap-Apple harvest.

"Sounds like fun!" Twilight said "Don't hesitate to give me a call if you want some help harvesting them."

"Ah'll likely hold ya to that Twi. Anywho, I gotta get goin'. You take care, ya hear?" Applejack said, sidling off of her seat just as a streak of cyan blur crash landed right into her, knocking the wind out of her.

"What in tarnation?! RAINBOW!!!" Applejack said, clearly upset about being hit by the weather pony.

"OMIGOSH!! IS THAT SWEET APPLE ACRES CIDER?!" Dash had ignored her question outright.

Putting herself between Dash and the bottles, Applejack said "Yea it is. If ya want some, drop by the acres later. These here are Twilight's!" In a defensive tone that served to deflate the excited pegasus.

"Ok. Sorry about flying into you like that." Dash said, scratching the back of her head with a hoof.

"Nothin' new under the sun there Rainbow." Applejack said rolling her eyes. "Anyways, you girls take care. I got to get goin'. Bye!"

The two friends waved as their friend trotted off to the center of the market. Dash was about to try and talk Twilight into letting her drink some of her cider, but got cut off as the unicorn spoke first.

"So Dash, I was going to talk to you later to day but since you're here do you know what the weather schedule is supposed to be for the week?"

"Oh yea, I was actually heading this way to leave the schedules at Town Hall." She said as she pulled a schedule from her saddlebags and handed it to Twilight.

"Sooo, can I have some of your-"

"No Rainbow, you've got two bottles waiting for you at Sweet Apple Acres whenever Applejack gets back there. You can wait." Twilight said with a smug smile as she put the two bottles into her saddlebags.

"I hate waiting... I could-"

"No good Dash, I've got to go see Fluttershy now."

"But... I... You..."

Twilight chuckled loudly as she walked away to go to Fluttershy's. "Bye Dash." Leaving Dash sitting there on the bench... without any cider. Seeing that she wasn't going to get any cider, Dash flew towards town hall to drop off the weather schedules for the week.

"I hate waiting..." she mumbled to herself as she took off.

The trot to Fluttershy's cottage didn't seem take too long, despite being past the outskirts of Ponyville on the edge of the everfree forest. Then again, Twilight hadn't had to track down Rainbow Dash or go all the way out to Sweet Apple Acres so she was still fairly refreshed after having eaten. She walked up to Fluttershy's door only to see her friend tending to a small garden on the other side of the brook that ran by her house. She yelled out to Fluttershy to let her know she was there. Wouldn't want to spook the timid pegasus after all.

Fluttershy looked up at her friend and smiled as she laid a carrot into the basket she had beside her.

"Hey Fluttershy, how are you today."

"Oh, I'm doing good Twilight. Thank you for asking" Fluttershy said in her usual quiet voice.

"Would you like a carrot?" She said gesturing to the basket beside her. "They're fresh."

"Actually, that sounds great." Twilight said. Even though it hadn't been long since she had eaten, a fresh carrot did sound nice.

"Oh, that Amethyst I found is inside. Let's go get it." Fluttershy said as she handed Twilight the carrot and picked up the basket to go inside.

Twilight munched thoughtfully on carrot as she walked towards Fluttershy's door. Depositing her saddlebags by the door.

"I'll be back in a second with that Amethyst, would you like to stay for some tea?" Fluttershy offered politely.

"Tea would be lovely, thank you Fluttershy."

"Oh, its no problem Twilight." she said as she walked out of the room.

A small white bunny carrying a mouse to its hole in the wall caught Twilight's eye. As the bunny set the mouse down, he turned and upon seeing Twilight, gave her a flat stare.

"Hello Angel, busy day today?" Twilight asked politely. While she didn't particularly care for Fluttershy's favorite pet, she was at least friendly towards him.

Rolling his eyes and shrugging, he hopped back towards the kitchen just as Fluttershy brought out a rather sizable amethyst and two glasses of tea all balanced on a tray that she had laid on her wings.

Levitating the tray off of Fluttershy's wings and on to the table, Twilight couldn't help but note the size of the gem before her. It was nearly the size of her head and a deep, lovely shade of purple. Spike really liked the purple ones.

"Wow Fluttershy! Where did you find this?!" Twilight asked, slightly awestruck at the gem.

"At the edge of the everfree. I was walking to see Zecora when a little glimmer caught my eye. I got some help from one of my badger friends and cleaned it off in the stream by my house. I thought Spike would like it. He works so hard for a baby dragon."

"Yea, he does... sometimes I forget just how much work he does. I think he'll LOVE this Fluttershy. Thank you."

"Oh its no problem Twilight. Are you sure it'll fit in your saddlebags?" Fluttershy asked, looking at the saddlebags by her door as she sipped on her tea. They were fairly stuffed as it was. She doubted either would hold the large gemstone.

Glancing over at the bags after she took a drink from her own cup, Twilight couldn't help but wonder that herself.

"Umm, now that you mention it... I might have to come back later and get it."

"Um... I could carry it for you and walk back... if you don't mind that is."

"You don't have to do that Fluttershy."

"I-It's ok Twilight. I don't mind." Fluttershy said with a slight smile.

"Oh... Ok then. If you're sure you don't mind."

"Oh I'm sure. I need to go into town anyways." Fluttershy said as Twilight finished her tea.

"Ok, we'll head out as soon as you're ready." Twilight said with a thankful smile.

"I'm ready. Make sure everybody's good while I'm gone Angel!" Fluttershy called towards the kitchen as she stepped of of the couch. The white bunny leaned around the corner and saluted quaintly before disappearing back into the kitchen.

"Shall we then?" Twilight asked, holding the door open for Fluttershy.

"Yes, lets." Fluttershy said with a giggle as they both put on their saddlebags and sauntered out of the house.

Spike had finished the chores Twilight had left him fairly quickly. He had kept an eye on the library, but nopony came in that day so he lounged around as he waited for Twilight to get back. He was starting to nod off as the front door opened and Twilight strolled in, jolting him from his sleep and into a sitting position before she could call out for him.

"Spike?"

"In here Twi." He said, calling out from the small alcove hidden by bookshelves. Something was nagging him in the back of his mind. Meh, I'll remember it in a bit. He thought to himself as he stood up and left the comfortable cushion he had been resting on.

"Sleeping on the job are we?" Twilight teased him as he walked from around the bookshelves.

"Heh, almost. Its been dead here all day!" He said as he looked from Twilight's smirk to her bulging saddlebags.

"Geez, you get enough groceries?"

"Ha-ha, keep that up Spike and I miiiight just not let you have this." Twilight said teasingly as she levitated the massive Amethyst from Fluttershy's saddlebags. Spikes eyes went wide as dinner plates the instant he clapped eyes on the purple gemstone.

"WHOA!!! WHAT AN AMETHYST!!" Spike said, drooling and licking his lips.

"You can have it after you help me put up all of these groceries." She said, placing it on the chandelier above them. The light streaming through and painting the ceiling in a multitude of beautiful purples and blues.

"Done!" Spike said as he ran into the kitchen, having grabbed the saddlebags from Twilight. Walking after him with a light snicker, she stopped before she went through the door and turned to thank Fluttershy.

"Thanks for this Fluttershy. Spike really appreciates it."

"Oh it's no problem Twilight. He deserves it. I guess I'll be off now. Have a nice night." Fluttershy said as she turned around and exited the library.

"Oh yea, Twilight... I almost forgot, a letter came for you today." Spike said from within the kitchen.

"Princess Celestia?" Twilight inquired as she walked into the kitchen, seeing Spike had already started putting up the groceries.

"Nuh-uh... Princess Luna." Spike said in a confused voice as he pointed the letter out to Twilight.

"Princess Luna? But what could she-" Twilight was cut off as she broke the seal on the letter. In a flash of purple, the Unicorn vanished, leaving a startled Spike in the kitchen.

"Twilight?!!" Spike panicked for a minute. Suddenly, an idea popped into his head.

"Does this mean I can have my amethyst now?" He wondered aloud to himself. Shrugging his shoulders, he finished putting up the groceries and got the ladder from beside the fridge. It was time for a treat.

Seeing as it was Princess Luna, Spike wasn't worried about Twilight being safe. He had come to not be scared of her after nightmare night. In fact, Spike now thought Princess Luna was pretty cool since she wasn't Nightmare Moon any more.

Spike climbed up the ladder and was now staring at the lovely purple of the huge amethyst. Come to papa!